First Love Episode 3 Recap
> First Love Recap
At the Baking Club's new member recruitment, Lu Wanwan became frustrated as most students were only interested in getting close to Ren Chu. She had to firmly inform them that she had no connection to him and that he would not be present, urging them to leave if he was their only reason for being there. Afterward, Lu Wanwan presented Ren Chu with a "Rumor Elimination Plan." She argued that the widespread gossip was inconvenient and affecting her academic performance.
Ren Chu, however, remained dismissive, suggesting her poor grades were independent of any rumors. When Lu Wanwan resorted to citing star and zodiac sign incompatibility, Ren Chu, as a medical student, dismissed her claims as unscientific. Later, Ren Chu arranged to join a tutoring session Lu Wanwan had with Meng Xibai, a senior postgraduate student, to review anatomy. Annoyed by the persistent rumors, Lu Wanwan insisted they take a secluded route to the lab to avoid being seen together.
In the lab, she warned Ren Chu that Meng Xibai was highly professional and rational, with no interest in gossip. However, Meng Xibai immediately greeted Ren Chu as Lu Wanwan's "boyfriend," to her dismay. As Meng Xibai explained the structure of the human heart, Lu Wanwan secretly anticipated Ren Chu's discomfort, but he remained unfazed. Meng Xibai then revealed that Ren Chu had already been "immunized" after throwing up once while watching an anatomy documentary during dinner.
Realizing the potential leverage, Lu Wanwan considered obtaining the security footage of the incident to force Ren Chu into signing her agreement. During a pop quiz in their anatomy class, Lu Wanwan, Ren Chu, and An Jiaxian were randomly grouped together. When the teacher called on Lu Wanwan to answer a question, she froze with nervousness. An Jiaxian stepped in to provide the correct answer, drawing comments from classmates about the awkward dynamic.
When the teacher posed a second question, Lu Wanwan struggled again, prompting the teacher to criticize her for focusing on dating over her studies. Sensing her distress, Ren Chu interjected by asking the teacher a complex question about multilayer helical computerized tomography, citing a specific documentary. This timely intervention saved Lu Wanwan from further embarrassment. After class, Ren Chu followed a visibly upset Lu Wanwan and asked why she was so nervous despite knowing the answers.
She confessed that in high school, her desire to attend the same university as the academically exceptional An Jiaxian put immense pressure on her, causing her to have mental breakdowns during exams. To ensure the vomiting incident was never mentioned again, Ren Chu finally agreed to sign the Rumor Elimination Plan. The agreement stipulated that both parties would publicly clarify the rumor, maintain distance in public, and meet only in private, if necessary.
It also stated that Ren Chu, due to his supposed "rich experience," would devise three methods to eliminate the rumor. A final clause, added by Ren Chu, explicitly forbade Lu Wanwan from ever mentioning his vomiting incident again. Upon signing, Ren Chu lightheartedly asked what she would do if she fell in love with him, to which she dramatically declared it impossible, joking she would perform an appendectomy on herself live if it ever happened.
Meanwhile, Wang Xinyu unexpectedly arrived at Meng Xibai's lab, identifying him as her "Schrodinger's boyfriend" and openly pursuing him, much to his annoyance. Meng Xibai admitted to having asked the security guards to check IDs in an effort to deter her. Undeterred, Wang Xinyu offered him a phone and proposed to be his assistant. However, upon being informed that the "silent mentor" (a cadaver) was present in the lab, she was terrified.
Exasperated, Meng Xibai firmly escorted her out, urging her to respect the deceased. Despite Ren Chu issuing a statement to clarify their relationship, the rumors only intensified. Students perceived his vague announcement as a move to transition their relationship from public to secret, with online posts claiming evidence like matching outfits. Distressed, Lu Wanwan sought Ren Chu's advice.
She then received a large package containing a sofa Ren Chu had ordered for the Baking Club but had accidentally sent to her address. Lu Wanwan, having already assembled most of it, told him to stay away for a while to let the situation cool down. Elsewhere, Ren Chu confided in a friend that he was struggling to find a data model to make the rumors disappear, asserting his commitment to their contract.
Later, Lu Wanwan encountered An Jiaxian in the library. He suggested she could still confide in him, but she clarified she had no relationship with Ren Chu and advised An Jiaxian to prioritize his current girlfriend, explaining that their growing up had naturally created distance between them. Ren Chu then summoned Lu Wanwan to a secret meeting, presenting her with a map he had created of safe meeting spots on campus.
He revealed his research concluded that the most effective way to end a rumor was for one of the involved parties to start a new relationship. He then informed Lu Wanwan that "she" would be the one to date and offered to help find her a suitable boyfriend. During their next meeting, Ren Chu presented a portfolio of twenty high-achieving male students, including himself. Lu Wanwan immediately chose Wang Yuyang, ignoring Ren Chu's own profile.
She then asked Ren Chu to help her pursue Wang Yuyang, a request he reluctantly agreed to. Following their meeting, Lu Wanwan found herself washing the shirt Ren Chu had brought as a prop for their secret rendezvous, vowing it would be the last time.
